Technical Abstract:
The world population is over 7 billion and food insecurity threatens at least 1 billion people globally. Food demand is expected to increase two- to threefold by 2050. Of the world’s additional food needs, 70% can be produced with new and existing agricultural technologies. The U.S. industry producing animal protein for human consumption employs 6.2 million people and generates $200 million in annual wages making up the largest segment of U.S. agriculture. Cattle fever ticks and the New World screwworm prevented development of the livestock industry until the last century when they were eradicated from the U.S. The Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and the Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory of the USDA-ARS continue to provide technology for eradicating or controlling ticks and blood-feeding flies of veterinary and medical importance to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, livestock industry, and the public. Working together with state, national, and international partners in academia, industry, and governmental agencies, this research contributes to secure a safe food supply globally. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.